Nelson Mandela Centenary: A Night to Remember

Seven of South Africa’s best comics re-unite on stage for one night only in the unforgettable Nelson Mandela Centenary 2018: A Night to Remember Comedy Show which takes place on Friday, August 24, at the Teatro at Montecasino.

Produced by Real Concerts on behalf of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the event brings together Barry Hilton, Chris Forrest, David Kau, Marc Lottering, Nik Rabinowitz, Riaad Moosa and Tumi Morake. All appeared together in the hugely successful and ground-breaking 46664 It’s No Joke nearly a decade ago. The MC for the evening will be Whackhead Simpson. (The 46664 campaign took its name from Mandela’s Robben Island prison number; he was prisoner number 466, incarcerated in 1964).

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2018 marks the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela who was born on July 18, 1918.

Throughout the year, the Nelson Mandela Foundation – established by Mandela in 1999 after he stepped down as President of South Africa – will promote his legacy through a series of events and engagements. All proceeds from A Night to Remember Comedy Show will go to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Roddy Quin of Real Concerts says: “We are delighted that these iconic South African comedians will be back together in a hilarious show in which all monies go to the Nelson Mandela Foundation in a year that celebrates the great man’s centenary and legacy. Comedy is a platform that unites people and delivers a message on social justice.”

Mike Page, GM of Montecasino, says: “Montecasino and the Teatro are proud to be hosting this prestigious event, commemorating our greatest statesman ever with much laughter and excellent entertainment by these captains of comedy. We look forward to welcoming all of them, and the audience, to what promises to be a most memorable night.”

The seven comedians are delighted to be sharing a stage together in the comic event of the year.

After what can only be described as one of the most successful careers in South African stand-up history, Barry Hilton shows no sign of slowing down. Thirty years of touring, six children, two ex-wives, a new wife, six DVDS, two movies, Vegas, Cleese, Connolly, millions of air miles and a Lifetime Achiever statue on his mantelpiece, “the cousin” is the quintessential South African comedy giant.

Chris Forrest’s unique dry sense of humour has made him one of the country’s most popular comedians. A versatile performer, Forrest has worked in almost every facet of comedy, including stand-up, improv, sketch comedy (stage, TV and radio), sitcom, feature films, industrial theatre, numerous TV adverts, a comedy rap album and many more weird and wonderful things including Celebrity MasterChef.

David Kau needs little introduction and his name is synonymous with many firsts. The Kroonstad-born comic began his career as the first black stand-up comedian in the 1998 Smirnoff Comedy Festival in Cape Town – the only black person on stage out of 44 comics. Since then he has headlined numerous comedy festivals and performed his own comedy specials. He also co-created and hosted the stand-up comedy show Blacks Only.

Marc Lottering has been in the funny business for 20 years and continues to keep audiences in stitches across the country. When he is not performing locally, he entertains home-sick South Africans abroad. Last year, the Cape Town born comic wrote Aunty Merle the Musical featuring 14 actors and a live band. The show has enjoyed two sell-out seasons and went on to be nominated for four Fleur Du Cap theatre awards.

Nik Rabinowitz is known for his multilingualism, at one time being hailed as the foremost Xhosa-speaking Jewish comedian in the country, as well as for his political commentary. He has made guest appearances on several comedy shows, including the British panel show Mock the Week; appeared in the acclaimed film Material and is the author of the book South Africa: Long Walk to a Free Ride.

Riaad Moosa is an award-winning comedian, presenter, writer and actor and happens to be a qualified medical doctor as well! He has produced the world’s first funny medical educational show #DOC in which he utilises humour to communicate important and practical health promotional information. Moosa has appeared in Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom and co-wrote and starred in the internationally acclaimed movie Material as well as having toured in a series of hit one-man shows.

Tumi Morake’s edgy and unpredictable brand of comedy has wowed audiences around the globe. She has shared the stage with the likes of David Kau, Marc Lottering, Barry Hilton and Chris Forrest and has earned her place as a headliner in comedy festivals such as the Kings & Queens of Comedy. She was the first woman to host Comedy Central Presents on African soil and took her one-woman show to the famed Edinburgh Festival in Scotland in 2013.

Tickets for the Nelson Mandela Centenary 2018: A Night to Remember Comedy Show start at R250 and are available from Computicket.

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